Carroll on Mike Williams: "We're counting on him to play"

Mike Williams practiced for the first time in two weeks on Friday. Although the Seattle Seahawks worked out for just 45 minutes in little more than an extended walk through, Williams, who suffered a strained left foot against New Orleans two weeks ago, made it through the workout, and according to head coach Pete Carroll, there’s a good chance he will play on Sunday.

“He made it through everything today,” Carroll said. “Yesterday after practice he ran fine, and at this point we’re counting on him to play. We’ve got to get him through the warm-ups and see what happens, and what happens after today’s running around and all of that. But if he can run in pre-game, he’ll play.”

Carroll said if Williams is available he will not be restricted, and will play as many plays as he normally plays.

Williams said he heard a pop when planting to come out of a break against New Orleans, but did not go into specifics in describing the injury.

“If I get out there, I just want to go out there and play well,” Williams said. “And hopefully I’ll make it work.”

Williams also has been dealing with questions of how serious his injury is that’s been keeping him out.

“The other day Law (Lawyer Milloy) got asked if he thought I was faking, or if thought I was shutting it down,” Williams said. “So a reporter asked him that. ‘Do you think Mike Williams is shutting it down because he’s having a good year?’ But trust me, this is not fun.”

Defensive tackle Colin Cole again worked with trainers on the side during practice, but did go through some drill work after practice was over, working on stance and starts against a couple offensive lineman, with Carroll looking on.

“He’s really close,” said Carroll about Cole, who’s trying to come back from a severe high ankle sprain, missing the last, four games. “He got some good field work right at the end. We’ll take him right up to game day. For sure he’ll be out competing next week if he doesn’t make it, he’s that close right now. He’s dying to get out here, we’ll just have to see how it goes on Sunday morning and make a determination.”

Carroll said that Cole bounced back quicker than he thought coming out of last week. But he said with Cole not practicing this week there is some concern about him making it through a full game, so the team has to consider if it’s worth the gamble to have him on the 45-man roster for game day in terms of depth at defensive line.

“We’ll see,” Carroll said. “Like I said, he’s going to be ready for next week, I pretty certain. Something pretty major would have to happen. He’d have to come out here flying around on Sunday to convince us he should play this week.”

However, similar to what Seattle did with Russell Okung against St. Louis earlier this year in getting him 26 plays of work, Carroll would like to get Cole some limited reps to get him ready to go a full game at San Francisco next week.

This will be the third time Seattle starts the same offensive line up front in back-to-back games. Seattle has started eight different starting offensive line combinations up front this season. They started six different starting offensive line combinations last year.

“Maybe this is the time we can turn the corner,” Carroll said. “Maybe this is the time we can start moving ahead, connected and guys communicating more like we like. We’re couple years behind teams who have had their guys out there. But for us its’ a step forward, and we’d like to see some results from that.”

Running back Marshawn Lynch said he’s not concerned about how many carries he gets, and would give his 1,000-yard rushing seasons and his Pro Bowl back for an opportunity to compete in the postseason.

“I would give all of that up just to play in one playoff game,” Lynch said. “To have that feeling and see what that really feels like. So if passing the ball is what we have to do to win, then I’m al about that, and holding up my end of the bargain on blocking. And then when I’m called upon to run, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Tight end John Carlson has a hip flexor issue and will be a game-time decision. Carlson did not practice at all this week, and Cameron Morrah worked in his place at the team’s Tiger, or H-back position.

Chester Pitts (ankle) did not practice again today and will not play on Sunday. Marcus Trufant (lower leg) and Lofa Tatupu (knee) returned to practice and will play.